
Avila Beach Course
Avila Beach Golf Resort


About this course
Avila Beach Golf Resort sits along California's Central Coast, approximately fifteen miles south of San Luis Obispo. The course was designed by Olin Dutra, a two-time major champion who won the 1932 PGA Championship and 1934 U.S. Open, in collaboration with Desmond Muirhead, the British-born architect known for his imaginative and sometimes unconventional design work during the 1960s and 1970s. The pairing represents an interesting blend of playing experience and creative design philosophy from that era. The routing takes advantage of the coastal California landscape, with the course positioned in the hills above Avila Beach and San Luis Bay. The terrain features rolling topography that provides elevation changes throughout the round, and the proximity to the Pacific Ocean means coastal weather patterns influence playing conditions. Views extend across the surrounding valleys and toward the coastline, characteristic of Central Coast golf settings. The layout incorporates the natural contours of the land, with holes that move through varied terrain. The design reflects the period's approach to resort golf, balancing playability for visitors with strategic interest. Avila Beach serves as a destination course in a region known for its temperate climate and scenic beauty, offering year-round golf in a less densely developed stretch of the California coast between the major metropolitan areas to the north and south.
Quick facts
- Location
- Avila Beach, CA, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1969
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- Olin Dutra, Desmond Muirhead
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,557 yards
- Difficulty
- 72.2/132
- Course Vaults score
- 6.2
Getting there
The journey to Avila Beach Golf Resort begins at San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SLO), a mere twenty minutes inland, or alternatively via Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) for those with broader routing options—both gateways sit comfortably within ninety minutes of the coast. From either arrival point, the drive descends gradually toward the Pacific, trading inland oak-studded hills for the distinctive marine layer that clings to California's Central Coast, before the final miles reveal the sheltered cove of Avila Beach itself. The resort sits perched above this quiet harbor town, accessible via a scenic coastal approach that signals the transition from highway to the intimate, salt-tinged air of one of the state's most understated seaside destinations. Here, the courses command views of the Pacific while remaining shielded from the bustle that defines more celebrated California golf destinations to the north and south.

FAQ
Common questions about Avila Beach
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Avila Beach has a Course Vaults score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 8 logged golfers.
Avila Beach was designed by Olin Dutra and Desmond Muirhead.
Yes. Avila Beach is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Avila Beach is 72.
Avila Beach plays 6,557 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Avila Beach is 132.



